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Thursday, January
10, 2008
Law of the Land
Romans 3:28-31 Therefore we conclude that
a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (29) Is he the
God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles
also: (30) Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by
faith, and uncircumcision through faith. (31) Do we then make void the law
through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. (KJV)
We have been talking this week about the
difference between the old law or covenant, and the new law of faith which
is established by our belief in the work Jesus Christ accomplished for
mankind to bring reconciliation to a fallen world. There is still a law in
place that even though we are under the new law we still need to obey the
laws of the land. Despite the fact that we live by faith, we need to stay
obedient and diligent to laws here on earth, so that we don’t end up with
total chaos and be distracted by it.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, that,
first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks,
be made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that
we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (KJV)
We are reminded to keep all those in a
place of authority in our prayers daily so that we can serve our time here
in a quiet and peaceable life. Not only do we pray for them, but it is up
to us to be doers of the word of God also; living honestly and in a godly
manner, being examples of the believers that in nothing the ministry would
be blamed. So remember, just because everyone else is going over the speed
limit doesn’t mean you are excluded from the laws of the land; and if you
get caught it is not pleasing to our Father either.
Romans 13:1-5 Let every soul be subject
unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that
be are ordained of God. (2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power,
resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to
themselves damnation. (3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to
the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good,
and thou shalt have praise of the same: (4) For he is the minister of God
to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he
beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to
execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. (5) Wherefore ye must needs be
subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. (KJV)
These powers and ordinances that are
being referred to in the above verses are things like police, fire
departments and other services that help keep order. God has established
these services to render assistance and to try and protect society from
being overtaken by ungodly people; which would get to the point of riot and
total chaos if we didn’t have these departments in place. So remember, if
you break the laws of the land, even if you don’t get caught the first
time, Father is watching; and so to keep your conscience clear you need to
obey them even when the authorities aren’t watching. I know that laws have
changed over the years and that they bend with society and tend to favor
certain individuals more than others, but it is the only way to maintain
some kind of order here and even though it is not a perfect system it is
better than none at all. The fact that they are ordained of God for our
benefit, it is important that we establish these laws and abide by them.
Romans 13:6-8 For for this cause pay ye
tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this
very thing. (7) Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute
is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
(8) Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth
another hath fulfilled the law. (KJV)
This is what I am going to call my sound
off section, something that I see happening in the so called church that
doesn’t line up with the word of God. The tribute mentioned in the verses
above is referring to taxes. If we are receiving the above mentioned
services, no matter who we are, or who we think we are, we are all required
to pay for them. So how come we have religious organizations that have
these tax free exemptions? If their building gets vandalized or it starts
on fire, who are the ones they call for help? The Bible says the workman is
worthy of his hire and that we are not to withhold wages to them they are
due; so the fact that these are ordinances of God, why are these religious
organizations exempt? If what they are doing is truly the work of God, is
He not capable of supporting it then? Or maybe it is just another loophole
so that these wannabe preachers can pocket more of the loot. Was not the
Lord Himself our example that we are to follow and if so, didn’t he pay
taxes?
Matthew 17:24-27 And when they were come
to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said,
Doth not your master pay tribute? (25) He saith, Yes. And when he was come
into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of
whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own
children, or of strangers? (26) Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus
saith unto him, Then are the children free. (27) Notwithstanding, lest we
should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the
fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt
find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. (KJV)
Here we see the Lord Himself didn’t argue
or fuss about it, but knew who His source was and did what was required so
not to offend. Let me ask this question; is there any group or organization
that is more adamant on getting their fair share and supporting financially
their ministers than the so called church we see today? It seems more and
more the messages I hear coming from these groups focus more on the
financial upkeep rather than the spiritual upkeep of the congregations.
Truly where the treasure is, there will be the heart also. I see a total
double standard; those that receive services that are ordained of God and
require a financial upkeep are ignored by the people of God that should be
living above the standard of man. The so called church and its preachers
demand their fair share and in many cases well beyond that, and then
neglect their duty to distribute what is fair for services rendered in
their own communities, which is hypocritical.
Proverbs 3:27 Withhold not good from them
to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. (KJV)
Next time a preacher stands up and teaches
on giving, on how important it is that you all do your part, ask him or her
before you give to their organization, if they are doing their part and
paying their taxes according to the word of God. Just because man says that
it’s ok and finds a loophole in the system, doesn’t mean God says its
right; in fact His word is quite clear where He stands.
Jeremiah 22:13 Woe unto him that buildeth
his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his
neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work; (KJV)
Have you ever heard the phrase or
muttered the words ‘where’s a cop when you need one’? Isn’t nice to have
someone to call when there is an emergency that at times is life
threatening? How about our war veterans that lay their lives down so that
we can have the freedom to worship our Lord; are they not worthy of their
hire? How many times have we seen in the news where they don’t get the
medical services and such that is required for them because of a lack of
funds; have they not earned this right?
James 5:4 Behold, the hire of the
labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by
fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the
ears of the Lord of sabaoth. (KJV)
Talk about frauds; you may have found
loopholes in man’s systems, but it won’t get through Father’s system. And
many of those that stand before Him and claim to be preachers and teachers
of the word of God will find out that they sold their souls for cheap
loopholes and didn’t practice what they preach.
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